Art History: An Interdisciplinary Approach

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Art critic John Berger in his book Ways of Seeing argued that "Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognises before it can speak." He further explained how "seeing establishes our place in the surrounding world…” But we have always overlooked the importance of visual understanding in the education system and the critical need to teach Art History, an interdisciplinary approach in schools.

As children we learn to identify colours and shapes, progressing from simple drawings to letters and words. Drawing classes are rarely taken seriously in schools except by children deemed "exceptionally creative." Traditional history often fails to engage students who find it boring and difficult to comprehend. Art History is not even recognised as a discipline in broader discussions, let alone in schools where it is hardly mentioned. However, it’s an important interdisciplinary subject that should become part of the Indian Education System.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Art History could revolutionise how students engage with learning. Art would help them explore the social, political, and economic contexts that shaped creative expression throughout history. This approach develops crucial visual literacy skills, making historical facts more accessible and memorable. For instance, Abanindranath Tagore's 'Bharat Mata' reflects the rise of nationalism through its theme of depicting India as a goddess, and also through its deliberate use of traditional Indian watercolor techniques, rejecting colonial artistic influence

The discipline provides invaluable insights into cultural development, demonstrating how societies have evolved not in isolation but through complex networks of cross-cultural interaction. Students would discover that human experiences share remarkable similarities across time and geography, fostering empathy and global understanding. It would also expand their definition of art beyond traditional paintings and sculptures to their significance in everyday objects, from clothing to architecture to contemporary design.

The Tech Generation

The digital era’s increased screen/visual time has brought about a drop in attention span. Art History complements this visual learning environment. Students already engage with visual culture more than ever before; they simply need guidance in developing visual literacy skills.

For instance, a class can begin with showing a compelling visual story. Show Banksy's "Girl with Balloon" and ask, "What do you think this girl is reaching for?" before revealing how this simple image became a symbol of hope, loss, and resilience. This approach pique’s student’s interests and makes history interesting.

Technology has the potential to enhance, rather than hinder this educational approach. Virtual museum tours, interactive applications, and online archives are making global artistic heritage more accessible than ever before. Museums across India are leveraging these tools to shift learning from passive consumption to active exploration, resulting in a more engaging and memorable educational experience.

Introducing Art History

Art history taught at a young age can benefit students tremendously. Visual literacy would enable students to interpret, analyse, and create meaning from visual information. A five-year-old once understood the complex meaning behind Picasso's famous Guernica through careful visual explanation. By examining the fragmented forms, distorted figures, and symbolic elements within the painting with the help of an expert, the child learned about Picasso's artistic methods and the historical context that inspired this powerful anti-war work.

This process teaches children to look beyond the surface and recognise deeper layers of meaning embedded in art. It can help students understand the meaning behind different colors and the overall expression of any artwork. To develop critical thinking skills, students can be shown art and taught what makes art significant and open to subjective interpretation. This gives students autonomy to think independently and is particularly important in helping them question stereotypical portrayal of different art groups.

Cognitive Development

Art History would also help students develop cognitive skills. While analysing any artwork, we observe it visually and use our memory and imagination to develop interpretations. Students would also develop cultural understanding of how people lived in the past, what they practiced traditionally, and what they believed in.

Art History in schools can be taught by taking students on heritage walks and to art galleries and museums, where they can understand heritage, tradition, and culture better apart from the traditional rote learning approach. Not grading students would shift the focus from scoring to learning better. 

Art & STEM

Art can be integrated into other subjects very easily. For instance, mathematics can be used to create works with geometric patterns, symmetry, and proportions. Students can learn how to make organic colors and about preservation of different mediums and materials through science. Analysing artwork and writing a comprehensive interpretation of what students have observed in the formal aspects of artwork and what they think is being conveyed is another practice too. History is already an overlapping discipline because it uses art as historical evidence to study past events.

Incorporating Art History in Schools

Using resources to train the teachers about the discipline is one way of doing it and the other way is to hire art historians, or invite experts to conduct workshops, classes and lectures. Schools can also work in partnership with museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions to develop a comprehensive Art History curriculum.

Art History as an academic discipline would help students develop visual literacy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. In an increasingly visual world, students need skills to interpret, analyse, and appreciate the images that surround them. By integrating art history into Indian education, we can create more engaged learners, critical thinkers, and culturally aware individuals.